FLEX-A-LITE Update - Diesel Forum

HeavyAssault · 12-26-2002, 10:07 PM

Well all is going okay. I had very little trouble with the removal of the old fan clutch. It wasn't as hard but with the right tools you can do anything right?? I had to remove the upper hose to remove the shroud. I had very little coolant loss. I bent my brackets to fit the fan close and tight. I should be finshed by Friday, I'm going to go hunting tomorrow. I drove around today without any fan and never got over the usual temp. It's pretty cold here today and I know it helped.

I have updated my pics so check them out under FAN INSTALL.

LVNITUP · 12-27-2002, 08:51 AM

Very nice!

Can you tell me what Flex-a-lite fan you are using? Perhaps a part #?

Many thanks!

HeavyAssault · 12-27-2002, 09:08 AM

FLEX #290 it is a universal twin 15" fan. Same fan as the 270, 280 and 282; it uses their "universal" brackets.

The brackets I had made have worked out better than I first thought. I really was having doubts and then it all came together. A few test fits and now they are working just as I wanted.

chip's_350 · 12-27-2002, 12:40 PM

HeavyAssualt,

Why did you put in this fan...was the factory fan not enough? I have a V-10 also, haven't towed yet, so havent really experienced cooling problem yet (plus it's winter! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img])

Is this for tranny cooling?

Thanks...

Chip

HeavyAssault · 12-27-2002, 02:45 PM

The stock fan will tend to rob some HP away from the engine. It tends to drag as the fan clutch engages. I'm hoping to gain that HP and maybe my MPG will increase slightly.

I considered the tranny temps and since this fan runs off the engine temp there was something to consider.

I'm going to install a switch to cut on the fan as desired to help the A/C and tranny as needed.

I drove around yesterday and today. With the cold air she never got hot, not even close. I'm running a 180 thermostat and think with that and the fan it won't get too hot during the summer.

HeavyAssault · 12-28-2002, 07:47 AM

I have updated the pics. Install is coming along nicely. There is a definate power increase espically at 2500 rpms and up. Truck really wants to pull hard near these rpms. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Maybe the MPG will show an increase as I drive.

twinbulls · 12-28-2002, 02:34 PM

Looks Great!!! Now we need ALL the info......
price...
Part#s....
time to install....
What have you noticed in power and MPGs???
and was it worth it???? for the power and MPGs???
Iam always looking for more of both..
How long has it been and how many miles??
Again looks great and thanks for the info.
twinbulls

HeavyAssault · 12-29-2002, 06:02 AM

It sent me back $363+ change, it is FLEX #290. The entire install could take a good 6 hours. I took more than that because I needed to bend the brackets plus other things. I wanted to do this right do it the first time. I had my fan and fan clutch off in less than 30 mins. If you plan ahead and set up the fan off the truck it would go on real fast.

Power is felt in a quicker shift down of the tranny and it definately pulls harder above 2500 rpms. I've only been running it a few days and will post more on MPGs later.

I feel it was worth it, the fan was such a good price I couldn't pass it up.

BTW I spliced into the CUSTOMER ACCESS key on hot wire under the dash. This feeds the extra wires under the hood. That runs to the VSC and allows the fan to operate.

(The Variable Speed Control has new features.
When you set the on Temperature, the fans will come on at 60%; this reduces the load on your charging system. If
the temperature rises, the fan speed will increase. If your set temperature is 185 degrees Fahrenheit, then between
185 and 195 the fan speed will increase from 60% to 100%. So after a 10-degree rise from the set point, the
fans will be running at 100%.)

As I was driving I noticed the fan was on and decided to check this feature out. Well I was running at only 60%. I adjusted the temp lower and the fan sped up as needed. The fan is noticable inside but when driving you don't even know it is on.

HeavyAssault · 12-31-2002, 09:16 AM

Well I have had the fan on for a few days now. I can say that there is an improvement in performance. The engine seems to downshift quicker and really pulls hard above 2500 rpms.

I have yet to decide if the MPG is any better. Due to the cold weather this may be a few more weeks to really see a difference.

I have to check the temp setting but the fan only comes on at the lower RPM setting. I feel during the summer it may cycle more. As I drive along it rarely comes on. During stop-n-go it tends to come on but quickly shuts down after you start moving again. I believe this is due to the water pump and not just air movement.

I currently run a 180 thermostat and I found I had a stock 185 when I went to replace the OEM. If you use a lower thermostat you could really keep this thing running or just let her get a little hot(190+) and then have the fans cut on. Not to mention any coolant additaves that you could use to lower temps.

All that said, I can't see why you couldn't tow hard and still use an electric. Diesel guys use the EVANS coolant product and love it. Several have said there are applications for gas engines. You guys that pull hard may think about this if you can find the fan cheap.